O-Royals win in 10 innings

Kila Ka’aihue’s sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning gave the Omaha Royals a 2-1 win over New Orleans at Zephyr Field on Wednesday afternoon. The two teams split the four-game series.

Royals catcher Cody Clark started the 10th winning rally with a bunt single off Adalberto Mendez (3-2). David Lough followed with another bunt, with Clark being forced at second. Irving Falu singled and Alex Gordon walked to fill the bases for Ka’aihue, who hit the sac fly.

In the bottom of the tenth, reliever Josh Rupe walked Bryan Peterson on four pitches. Peterson stole second and went to third on an errant throw from catcher Manny Pina. Rupe, struck out former O-Royal Gookie Dawkins and got Neil Wilson to ground out to short to end the game, picking up his second save.

The Royals, finishing a stretch of 21 of 23 on the road with a 12-11 record, return to Rosenblatt Stadium on Thursday night to start a five-game series with the Albuquerque Isotopes, beginning at 7:05 CDT. Royals righty Gaby Hernandez (5-5) squares off against Jesus Castillo (0-2).